#4535 CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS ABOVE THE AGE OF 65 WITH ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS: A SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE.

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) is common in patients above the age of 65 but there are limited data about the clinical characteristics and patient outcomes. This study intents to investigate the demographic features, treatment and outcomes in patients ≥ 65 years of age with AAV in Greece. Method In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed medical records of patients with ANCA positive AAV in a nephrology unit over the past 20 years. Patients with secondary causes of AAV were excluded. In total 37 patients were included in the study. Data are presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). Results Thirteen patients (35.1%) were above the age of 65 and 24 patients (64,9%) below the age of 65. The median age of diagnosis was 71.3 (67.5/75.1) vs 54.9 (40.4/57.3) and estimated glomerular filtration rate CKD-EPI was 30 (21.5/48) vs 17 (12.3/29.8) respectively. The Birmingham vasculitis activity score and organ involvement did not differ between the two groups. The median follow-up duration was 44.2 (15/108) months. Immunosuppressive therapy was similar in both groups, including glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide or rituximab as induction and azathioprine or rituximab as maintenance therapy. The overall survival was significantly lower in the older group (69.2%) compared to the younger (95.8%) and renal survival was 69.2% and 91.2% respectively. Older age and elevated serum creatinine were related to increased mortality. Elevated creatinine at diagnosis was the only significant predictive factor of renal survival. Conclusion AAV is a disease with significant morbidity and mortality in patients above the age of 65. This study showed that the typical immunosuppressive therapy might not improve outcomes in the older patients.